190 Just a coincidence

"The actual representative for meeting new people is actually Succhan. But she has a lot going on right now."

"Is Sumire that involved in the underworld? I did, uh, talk to her about it. However, I still find it very odd."

Futaba sighed deeply. "Unfortunately, she is."

"You don't want her to be?"

"Of course not. Nobody wants to put their friends in danger, and I truly wish for Succhan to live a normal life. It's fine for me to be involved because of my father. But Succhan should have nothing to do with this industry." Her words came out sharper than she intended.

She quickly realizes this when she sees the look on Hamano's face.

"Sorry," Futaba mumbled quietly. "It's just when I hear that question. I react like this."

"No, it's understandable. You really care about Sumire, don't you?"

Futaba nodded. Right as she was about to open her mouth, she felt a wincing pain in her head.

She pointed to the steps. Atushi nodded, and they sat down as they exchanged stories regarding Succhan. Futaba rolled her eyes, hearing Atushi's stories.

"So let me get this right, you teased Succhan a lot?"

Atushi sighed. "I couldn't help it. Her reaction whenever I teased her was too good to pass on."

Futaba rolled her eyes. "Don't worry. I get it."

"You do?"

"Yes, boys in elementary school would do the same towards girls they liked."

At those words, Atushi exhaled deeply. "You're not holding back at all, I see."

"But, isn't what I said true?"

"I knew it was childish. But at the time, I didn't understand my feelings properly, and well there was another guy in the picture." Atushi trailed off. "His name is Ichinose Arashi. He is actually the reason I managed to get admitted into this school. He told me that I should solve things with Sumire, and he would do the same."

Futaba blinked, startled. Huh? Huh? Wait- that name?

"Ichinose, do you mean the student council president of this school?"

It could just be a coincidence but-

"That's right."

Futaba didn't know what to say. She had heard what happened between Hamano-kun and Succhan before, and she also knew there was somebody else. But who would have thought that the other guy was her cousin?

That's right, Ichinose Arashi is her cousin. He is the son of her father's sister.

'I didn't think it would be him. But now it makes sense why he insisted that she went to this school. He must have known that Succhan would definitely join with her.'

"Momoi-san? Is something wrong?"

Futaba bit her lip, debating whether she ought to tell him. In the end, she decided to.

Atushi seemed just as surprised as her. "So he has been planning this for a long time now. He lured both Sumire and me here. Damn him. I should have known."

"Does my cousin still like Succhan?" Futaba wondered. "I mean, he has a fiance."

At that comment, Atushi sighed deeply. "That guy, no wonder he acted so weird that time me and Sumire came over to his home. He must have been worried about the fiance showing up."

"Her elder sister goes to this school. Her sisters name is Hikari Mizue."

Suddenly Atushi's face turned pale, and Futaba looked at him, puzzled. Did she say something wrong? Before she could say something, however, she heard footsteps from behind them.

"Futaba." She hears a familiar voice call her from the back. Futaba stood up and turned to see ran walking down the stairs with a frown. "What are you doing?"

Ran looked between her and Atushi with suspicion.

"Just chatting. I felt dizzy." Futaba explained.

What on earth is he thinking- Futaba paused. He isn't thinking that Hamano-kun is making a move on her is he? She is fully aware of the rumors going on in school. It's ridiculous. What is wrong with her having another male friend? Why does any guy she talks to immediately become her boyfriend?

Ran nodded and walked over. The minute she saw him, the pain in her head worsened. She reached over and tugged on his shirt.

"Ran-chan, my head really hurts," Futaba complained.

Just now, she was leaning her head against the wall and felt okay. But now that she is standing up, she feels dizzy again.

"Huh?" Ran paused. "Hey, your face is red. Show me your forehead."

"Eh, but the last time you did that, you head-butted me, and it hurt," Futaba complained.

"Last time, I just used too much force. Today it will be fine." Ran doesn't wait for her to reply and parts her bangs with his fingers. His frown deepened. "Infirmary, now."

"What about lunch with everyone?"

She was looking forward to having lunch with them. Normally she would eat with Succhan and the guys in nanairo feather. Quite some time has passed since she joined the guys in Quatro light for lunch.

"That can wait." Ran points to his back. "Get on."

Futaba sighed as she reluctantly climbed on his back. The minute she did, she immediately snuggled against his neck. Ran-chan's back is so warm. It's comfortable.

…..

At the infirmary.

Futaba wakes up to a wincing pain in her head and feeling extremely cold. She proceeded to pull the blanket, only to realize that one of her hands was being held, hostage. Futaba glanced over at the culprit and found Ran sitting on the chair with his head slumped on the edge of her bed, gripping one of her hands tightly.

She looked at him for a few minutes and recalled what had happened before she blacked out.

'I didn't even realize that I was sick. But, when I saw Ran-chan. It felt like a huge burden lifted from my shoulders.'

Futaba finds herself playing with his hair with her free hand for a few minutes, only to hear familiar voices behind the curtain.

"Ru, don't hold it like that; you'll drop it."

"I can't help it, it's really hot. Are you sure this is edible? What if you make it worse."

"Hey, that's rude!"

Succhan and Suro-kun? The curtain opens, revealing her best friend and a man with brown hair holding a tray with a pot.

Sumire's eyes lit up. "You are awake! Perfect timing. I made you something to eat, and the nurse left the medicine on the table. So eat first and then drink."

Uh, Succhan's cooking? Futaba looked over at Mamoru, who shakes his head.

"It should be fine. She has gotten better recently."

Futaba immediately understood what he meant. Mashima Toh must have helped her. Everybody in their friendship group has tried to help Succhan with cooking before, only to fail. So, the only one who could have helped her now is Mashima.